Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards

What I took from this was the superb acting by Clunes and especially his maintaining throughout what sounded like Hugh Edwards’ voice. It must have been quite hard to keep this going.
On the other hand I did wonder why this docudrama was made at all, given the impact it must have made/is making on his family.

I haven’t watched this but will do so.
I recall discussions here when the allegations were publicised. As usual, there was reluctance to believe a man like Edwards could be a sex offender. Some suggested as the young man hadn’t gone to the police perhaps his mother and step father were seeking compensation.

It’s hard to accept someone like Edwards, a significant presenter of key national events could be enjoying looking at images of the sexual abuse of small children. When the much liked head teacher at our village primary school was investigated, 85% of parents refused to believe it possible

Channel 5 received much info on the Huw Edwards drama from the mother and stepfather of the 23 year old Ryan, and the Sun Newspaper , and journalists

The parents went to the Sun before the police with their accusations

That Huw Edwards suffered with depression has absolutely nothing to do with him being a sexual predator, it can't possibly be used as an excuse, more likely depressed because of the guilt and turmoil he felt as a result of his disgusting behaviour.

What a vile man he turned out to be. He came across as a respectable man on our screens reading the news, proof that such hateful individuals come in all sorts of guises.

I hope he disappears into obscurity and we never hear about him again.

And .? We all know complaints to Police about other famous men went nowhere. Also that news media were well aware of the allegations.

It now appears police had been aware of concerns about Edwards since 2019. Who knows what motivated the boys mother and stepfather. There’s no way I’d have done that but I don’t know enough to criticise them. Investigations like this one are extremely complex

It sounds as though the parents went to the BBC and got short shrift which is why the stepfather wanted to go to the media.

It is not clear why they did not turn to the police, but the history of accusations against celebrities not being taken seriously is a concern that might have been in their minds.

If this drama does nothing else it serves to remind the authorities to keep an open mind when it comes to investigating high profile individuals.

Luckygirl3

*More education than entertainment really.* - on one level I agree with this, in the same way as the drama about the Post Office scandal was educative. This was generally applauded as it exposed the bad behaviour of an organization rather than an individual, although one individual came in for a great deal of criticism.

I have not seen the drama. However having read Grans' criticisms I agree with Luckygirl, in the general way that a drama can be both an entertainment and a documentary style discussion.

The fact that the medium is serious drama ,well researched, need not deflect from its purpose to get people thinking about causes of criminal paedophilia.

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia. Or the police investigation (including what they knew before), or the way social media was accusing all and sundry, or the comments from the public about how the boy was most probably lying, or the BBC and its role in suppressing the identity of HE.

There were a few references tho HE having humble beginnings, but nothing to link his background to his proclivities, and the only mention of his mental health was after 'Ryan' threatened to expose him. If anything, Ryan came across as more mentally fragile than Edwards.

I got the impression that the makers didn't have much information, but wanted to go ahead with the production because they had Ryan's co-operation.

Martin Clunes was superb, we thought of Hugh Grant playing Jeremy Thorpe and thought both actors must have enjoyed the challenge such a role brings

Add comment | Report | Private message | Quote Iam64 Wed 25-Mar-26 09:18:05
I haven’t watched this but will do so.
I recall discussions here when the allegations were publicised. As usual, there was reluctance to believe a man like Edwards could be a sex offender. Some suggested as the young man hadn’t gone to the police perhaps his mother and step father were seeking compensation.

It’s hard to accept someone like Edwards, a significant presenter of key national events could be enjoying looking at images of the sexual abuse of small children. When the much liked head teacher at our village primary school was investigated, 85% of parents refused to believe it possible

I certainly wasn’t reluctant to accept if I thought it was truth, I didn’t accept the parents chose to speak to the Sun before the police for their son, on the thread you are speaking of ! , a poster was sure Huw Edwards was guilty because he had changed his hir cut.

Some may be reluctant to believe and some who so want it to be true they will leap on all accusations as truth

I watched it up until the first advert break, then turned it off. Didn't like what I was seeing and knew it would get worse.

Doodledog

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia. Or the police investigation (including what they knew before), or the way social media was accusing all and sundry, or the comments from the public about how the boy was most probably lying, or the BBC and its role in suppressing the identity of HE.

There were a few references tho HE having humble beginnings, but nothing to link his background to his proclivities, and the only mention of his mental health was after 'Ryan' threatened to expose him. If anything, Ryan came across as more mentally fragile than Edwards.

I got the impression that the makers didn't have much information, but wanted to go ahead with the production because they had Ryan's co-operation.

Right. I'd better watch it I suppose before I comment.

Nannylovesshopping

Cba to watch a sordid programme like that, I watched two more episodes of Schitt’s Creek, much more entertaining!!

Only 2 😂 Would you believe we have watched the whole series 4 times. Absolutely love it.
If this is the first time you’ve watched the series wait until you see David singing Simply The Best 🥰

Anniebach

Add comment | Report | Private message | Quote Iam64 Wed 25-Mar-26 09:18:05
I haven’t watched this but will do so.
I recall discussions here when the allegations were publicised. As usual, there was reluctance to believe a man like Edwards could be a sex offender. Some suggested as the young man hadn’t gone to the police perhaps his mother and step father were seeking compensation.

It’s hard to accept someone like Edwards, a significant presenter of key national events could be enjoying looking at images of the sexual abuse of small children. When the much liked head teacher at our village primary school was investigated, 85% of parents refused to believe it possible

I certainly wasn’t reluctant to accept if I thought it was truth, I didn’t accept the parents chose to speak to the Sun before the police for their son, on the thread you are speaking of ! , a poster was sure Huw Edwards was guilty because he had changed his hir cut.

Some may be reluctant to believe and some who so want it to be true they will leap on all accusations as truth

Did the drama explain how, if one pays money for pornography, one is enabling more abusing of even more child performers?

it's indeed hard to understand how a man with a normal intellect would not be aware of excactly why it's a criminal act.

We watched half of it so don't know how far this went with the story.

I agree that it does make uncomfortable viewing and with Bluebelle and others wonder if it is right to make a drama out of recent, traumatic events. On balance, I think yes, it is if the victims are in agreement. This kind of behaviour should never be ignored and glossed over nor forgotten. If it is and light sentences are given such as in Edwards's case, we are in danger of history repeating itself again and again.
Sadly, we see it does.

Martin Clunes was excellent in the part as were the other actors.
Did anyone else realise the bullying step-father was Jason Hughes, who played DS Jones, Barnaby's sergeant in Midsomer Murders? Quite a different part.

Did the drama explain why someone would message the supplier “ do not include underage “ , this was read in court

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia

But what are they? Nature, nurture, just evil? Certainly a
Studies are undergoing to find out why some people, mainly men, are attracted to children. Some may never act on it of course.

Edwards will be on the Sex Offenders Register so what, if any 'comeback' he might think of embarking on would be difficult given his previous fame, now notoriety.
Even charity work - who could trust him again?

Watched it - what a great actor he is - Martin Clunes !

I agree CrazyH. He was superb.

Allira

^But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia^

But what are they? Nature, nurture, just evil? Certainly a
Studies are undergoing to find out why some people, mainly men, are attracted to children. Some may never act on it of course.

Edwards will be on the Sex Offenders Register so what, if any 'comeback' he might think of embarking on would be difficult given his previous fame, now notoriety.
Even charity work - who could trust him again?

No idea. I was responding to the post saying that the purpose of the drama was to get people thinking about the causes, which IMO it didn't at all.

I can't see him making a comeback. Viewers wouldn't like it, and audience size is always the driving force. Plus, it would scupper his mental health defence, wouldn't it?

Whatever our thoughts about the actual programme, if nothing else it will hopefully put an end to that deluded man’s belief that he could ever stage a ‘comeback’ - the arrogance of it!

Doodledog

Allira

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia

But what are they? Nature, nurture, just evil? Certainly a
Studies are undergoing to find out why some people, mainly men, are attracted to children. Some may never act on it of course.

Edwards will be on the Sex Offenders Register so what, if any 'comeback' he might think of embarking on would be difficult given his previous fame, now notoriety.
Even charity work - who could trust him again?

No idea. I was responding to the post saying that the purpose of the drama was to get people thinking about the causes, which IMO it didn't at all.

I can't see him making a comeback. Viewers wouldn't like it, and audience size is always the driving force. Plus, it would scupper his mental health defence, wouldn't it?

Yes.

A very dark and disturbing drama, but a sad reminder of how easy it is for young people to be groomed and the mind games played to reel them in.

Excellent acting from Clunes, quite chilling.
I’m surprised how reckless Edwards was. His medical (not mental) report gave some clarity, but hubris was his downfall.

No not for me, as much I enjoy anything MC stars in.
I really don’t understand how Edwards wasn’t banged up.